Removal ovaries or not?

I'm a 49 yo going in for hysterectomy on December 4th. I've read so much about keeping ovaries as being a better choice than to remove them. HOWEVER, since I am almost 50..are there really still of use? My gut tells me get rid of EVERYTHING and be done with it. Surgical menopause and all.

I had my hyst at 49 (now 50). If there's no reason to take out your ovaries, why would you do it? They also function to help protect your heart health. Our body parts all exist for good reasons, and they should only come out for very good reasons.

Well.for one thing I suffer from panic disorder/anxiety/depression. Seems like some of these symptoms are VERY much like what menopause symptoms are. So I am thinking if at least I go through surgical menopause, that will be one less thing to worry about. Seems though all the responses I have gotten say to KEEP them. No pros to GET rid of them if not totally necessary.

Making the decision to keep or remove the ovaries is a difficult and personal choice. I will be 49 next month and currently waiting for a surgery date. I have weighed the pros and cons and have decided to keep my ovaries if at all possible. I think my biggest deciding factor was the thought of a instant surgical menopause. My surgeon has agreed to allow the ovaries to stay if they are healthy but to remove the Fallopian tubes to reduce cancer risk. I am looking forward to getting on with my healing journey. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.

Here's the dilemma?!

Wouldn't surgical menopause be better than not? Get it over with instead of perhaps drawn out over 5 or so years? I know it might be rough at first but....Maybe I'm not understanding. I'm not looking for trouble or more extensive surgery but just trying to make the best decision.

I'm currently recovering from TAH/BSO. I'm 4 weeks post op. My surgery was for Stage IV endo and my doctor really wanted me to have my ovaries out to reduce the risk of endo recurring. I was really hesitant at first, wanting to keep at least one, but after researching the most recent studies on HRT and consulting more with my doctor, I decided to have both removed. I've been on BCP for the past three years to subdue my ovaries, and now being on HRT means an overall lower dose and steadier stream of hormones.

I'm 37, so theoretically a ways from natural menopause, but my mom started menopause at 40, and my older sister has been showing early signs at 40, so, I also may have been close to it as well.

So far, the HRT seems to be working fine for me. I don't feel dramatically different than before surgery (hormonally that is)

I've never heard anyone suggest that surgical menopause was preferable to regular menopause. Yes, a natural menopause takes longer, but your ovaries slowly decline in function, allowing it to be gentler, and after menopause they continue to make small amounts of hormones. Once they're out, you get none of that. And studies show that surgical menopause increases your risk of all kinds of problems -- osteoporosis, heart disease, other types of cancer, dementia, Parkinson's. It's not clear how much taking HRT mitigates those risks.

I deliberated like crazy over this, and in the end, I didn't have a choice. My ovaries were swallowed by cysts and endometriosis and my surgeon determined they shouldn't be saved. Those of us who ultimately had to take out the ovaries have to make peace with the risks and make the best decisions we can around our long-term health. In my case, I've done quite well both with the menopause transition and with the hormones. But it was a hard thing for me to accept. And I can't know the long term impact on my health.

That said, your gut is your best barometer, so you should listen to it. Just make sure that you're aware of the risks of either option. Good luck!

Thank you everyone for your responses. My surgery is scheduled for December 4th. After much deliberation I will keep the ovaries unless the doc feels they should come out for any reason. Wish me good luck!!!

Meemoo sending positive healing energy your way. I hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend. Best wishes and good luck on your surgery day.

Here are a couple articles that may help you bolster your decision:

Founder's Blog- Keep your ovaries (make sure to follow the link to read the story)

oophorectomy health risks

natural menopause vs. surgical menopause

I lost both of my ovaries to endometriosis. Surgical menopause hit me like a ton of bricks. I had hot flashes so bad I stood barefoot in the snow. I was having 20+ hot flashes a day and two or three at night. They were bad enough to make me nauseated and dizzy. I cried and had anxiety attacks for days on end. Not everybody has that experience, but I just wanted to throw that in there so you could know what one possibility is. Others, find that symptoms don't occur for weeks, and they aren't as severe. It's not entirely age-related. I have seen posts by women over 50 who have had severe symptoms even after natural menopause.

I wish you the best no matter what you decide.